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NeighborhoodsReal-time TrucksHow Neighborhoods are Plowed

Reading The Map

The initial view shows the boundaries of VDOT’s local area headquarters (AHQ) in Northern Virginia. Within each outline is a building icon which shows the status of the plowing operations for that service area. When there are no plowing operations the icons are displayed in gray.

The resolution of the map is referred to as its zoom level. Both Microsoft and Google have adopted the same approach to displaying maps where the highest view is zoom level one (1) and advances in 19 stages. The Snow Map site defaults to zoom level 7 which displays VDOT’s maintenance districts. At this default level, the districts will be shaded based on their mobilization level. As you move closer to a particular location the shading will disappear and the map displays roads, cities and jurisdictional boundaries typically found on maps.

In Northern Virginia (Nova), zooming in will first display the boundaries of VDOT’s local area headquarters (AHQ). Within each outline is a building icon which shows the status of the plowing operations for that service area. When there are no plowing operations the icons are displayed in gray

All neighborhoods are plowed

Neighborhoods are being plowed

Neighborhood plowing has not been started

No plowing operations

By zooming in, you will see that service areas are subdivided into “neighborhoods”, which are the snow assignment maps given to plow drivers. The status of each neighborhood is represented by an icon with houses.

Plowed

In Progress

Not Started

The "Find Address" button will locate the desired address and place a yellow push-pin on the map.

Address

Neighborhoods not maintained by VDOT (cities, towns and private developments) are shown in gray. Emergency routes are shown in blue and orange. If you live on an emergency route you will not see the status of that road because it is a high priority and must be kept clear for emergency vehicles.

Not ServicedBy VDOT

When at the neighborhood viewing level, the map will display plows that have been fitted with tracking equipment (AVL). At present only about 25% of the plowing trucks are equipped with AVL. The type of plowing truck is displayed by hovering over the truck icon.

The map also features the interstate traffic cameras as blue camera icons. Hovering over the icon will display a real-time view of the road.

Reading The Map

The resolution of the map is referred to as its zoom level. Both Microsoft and Google have adopted the same approach to displaying maps where the highest view is zoom level one (1) and advances in 19 stages. The Snow Map site defaults to zoom level 7 which displays VDOT’s maintenance districts. At this default level, the districts will be shaded based on their mobilization level. As you move closer to a particular location the shading will disappear and the map displays roads, cities and jurisdictional boundaries typically found on maps.

In selected areas, snow plowing progress can be viewed on the map. Routes that have been plowed are displayed in green and a truck’s location is visible on the map when they are in service. If they are actively plowing, a green trail will follow the icon has the truck’s location is updated. Hovering over the truck icon with your mouse will display the vehicle’s ID and status.

The "Find Address" button will locate the desired address and place a yellow push-pin on the map.

The map also features the interstate traffic cameras as blue camera icons. Hovering over the icon with your mouse will display a real-time view of the road.

VDOT Road Priorities

Roads are generally cleared from highest volume to lowest in the following order:

Typically, crews begin plowing in subdivisions when two inches of snow has accumulated.

The main thoroughfares in subdivisions are repeatedly plowed during a storm. Once the storm has stopped and those roads are clear, crews work to make residential streets and cul-de-sacs “passable.”

A neighborhood street is considered passable when a path is drivable (with caution) for an average passenger vehicle. The road will not be cleared curb-to-curb or to bare pavement, and may remain snow-packed, uneven and rutted (especially following any refreeze). Chemicals are not typically used in subdivisions, but crews will sand hills, curves and intersections as needed to provide traction. For most storms, one snowplow pass, about eight to ten feet wide, is made.

While VDOT does not remove snow from sidewalks or trails, crews are asked to be mindful of pushing large amounts of snow onto sidewalks, driveways, etc. With major storms, it is often an unintended consequence of making roads passable. When shoveling driveways, residents should leave the last few feet at the curb until the street is plowed, as the truck will push some snow back. It also helps to shovel to the right facing the road.

To give crews a chance to finish their assigned snow maps, VDOT asks that residents wait a few days after the storm is over before reporting roads as “missed.” Once crews have finished their routes, resident complaints are mapped into a database that feeds lists of locations back to the area headquarters to double-check and address. It is also helpful for crews if residents park on the odd-numbered side of their street to allow plows room to pass.

Mobilization Plan

National Weather Service Forecast

Mobilization Level

Response Plan

Neighborhood Plowing

Precipitation:

20% or Greater

Accumulation:

Ice/Snow Possible

Ambient or Pavement Temp:

30-36

Anti-Ice

Springfield Interchange, spot treatment of other critical structures and locations

No

Precipitation:

20-49% or Greater

Accumulation:

Ice/Snow Possible

Ambient or Pavement Temp:

30-36

1

Spot treatment of bridges, overpasses and other critical structures and locations